Matthew Kiessling, 18, lost control of his Jeep while traveling west along Buckshutem Road near the Gould Avenue intersection.

An incident report, submitted by Trooper R.M. Cunningham from the State Police Bridgeton barracks, reads Kiessling “ran off the road to the right then re-entered the roadway, crossed the center line, ran off the road to the left, struck a tree, overturned, and came to its final rest against a tree.”

He was on his way to band practice at Good News Assembly of God, located in Upper Deerfield Township. His four fellow band members were there awaiting the arrival of their drummer.

Word of the accident came just over an hour later. Those in attendance reflected Saturday night on his life and its impact on theirs.

Kiessling graduated from Cumberland Regional High School last year. He was an honor roll student, inducted into the National Honor Society in 2008 and was a “Colt Citizen of the Month” for October 2009.

He was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Cumberland County College last month. Phi Theta Kappa is the international community college scholastic honor society. He was named to the President’s List for the fall 2010 semester.

Peggy VanMeter taught his sister.

“What a talented and respectful young man," said VanMeter. “I did not have him in class, but his sister was my student. Such a wonderful loving family."

“I met their mom. My thoughts have been with her all day. The loss of a child is a living hell, but, my God, Mother’s Day weekend?" said VanMeter Sunday night.

According to his Facebook profile, he was a groundskeeper at Good News where he later came to worship. It was a part-time position he picked up last spring.

The same online profile included pictures of Kiessling behind his drum kit and with Christian metal band Underoath.

Bridgeton, along with Lawrence and Fairfield Township’s EMS, responded to the accident

scene. Trooper Cunningham said the cause of the accident is unknown and the incident remains under investigation.

State Police Spokesman Stephen Jones told the Star-Ledger he did not know if Kiessling was wearing a seat belt.

His father Tom told the Star-Ledger his son's dream was to become a physical therapist.

"Physical therapy was one way to reach out and make a difference," Tom Kiessling said.